OCD genes in some breeds - Page 1

http://www.aolnews.com/science/article/obsessive-compulsive-gene-in-dogs-could-help-explain-human-disorders/19343100

I found this very interseting topic. Does make sence!!
~L~

Thanks for sharing, interesting, one should avoid dogs chasing their tails !! Lol

Ibrahim

More than once I've tried to tell people that tail chasing isn't about lack of training. You can't get a true tail chaser to stop; it's brain chemistry gone wrong. Of course, sometimes it's just a stupid habit...but we shouldn't come down too hard on people who can't get their dogs to stop it. It doesn't always mean they are allowing bad behavior.

Funny Ibrahim.lol I thought it was interesting cause my dad had a dobe and it would suck on it's side.I would tell my dad that it isn't right and it is a mental thing.Of course he would just get defencive and tell me I didn't know anything.Also at a place I trained dogs at there was a Dobe that would suck on it's side and wore it's fur off.AGAIN I said that there is a mental issue and no one believed me!!! NOW maybe someone will believe me when I say things!!
~L~

Lavk9 If you tell something I will believe you and you know what I believe VomMarischal too, she knows what she says  

Ibrahim

Thanks Ibrahim!!

I definitely think there is brain chemistry involved, but people can make this worse. And it isn't limited to tail chasing or chewing IMO. Includes activities like pacing, or chewing rocks. When a dog is noticed doing these behaviors people need to stop it, not laugh. If you do this, you can teach the dog to channel that energy in a better way. IMO The tendency however, is always there.

Beetree-you are right that it isn't just tail chaising.Some of the dogs are said to suck on their sides or a blanket.Mostly Dobes.I have seen a few. As i had a friend that had a dog that would cary rocks and good luck getting it away from him.lol  I was raising a GSD pup that would chew his tail and I told the breeder to take him back that he has some mental issues and isn't going to make it as a bomb dog. It was so bad that he had to take it to the vet. I do think that in time if trained and as you said channeled in a different way...that it could stop or at least not so it so much.Most people though thing that a dog chasing it's tail or sucking on a blanket is cute or funny and sometimes encourage it.

Yes, it is interesting, especially when you find out that the German's even have specific words for some of these behaviours because they have been noticed as prevelent in some lines! Good luck getting most (or any) to talk about them, though, lol

My dog definately has that pacing thing. We do have to stop him at times, fortunately his issues are not all consuming.

I wonder if the pacing thing is like a person that has to do something and is figity if they are sitting still. My GSD can't settle unless he is in a cage.If he is loose in the house he is moving all about.Drives me nut!! lol Even if we go for a long walk or play ball it still doesn't tire him out.I would like to borrow someones golf cart or ATV( and just have him run along for miles!! Maybe that would tire him out.